<b><b>New systems and techniques abound in the ground engineering market as the push to develop brownfield sites drives housebuilders to learn more and more about foundation technology. Allison Heller digs around to reveal what&amp;’s happening underground</b></b><br><b>The steady growth of brownfield development in recent years has driven major changes in the groundworks sector. The meaning of the word has expanded dramatically from clearing vegetation, digging a trench and pouring concrete footings to a range of specialised works potentially involving demolition, disposing of hazardous contaminated waste, defusing risks posed by hazardous gases, and determining appropriate foundation types for unstable or contaminated soils. Complex risks need to be identified, assessed and remediated. </b><br><b>Legislation has been evolving in step with these changes, and Part C of the Building Regulations, Site preparation and resistance to moisture, last amended in 1992, is in the early stages of another update. It is likely that this will bring together aspects of various other pieces of relevant legislation and guidance, and result in more stringent groundworks requirements particularly in relation to contaminated land.</b><br><b><b>comprehensive services</b></b><br> The increasing complexity of site preparation, site treatment and foundation techniques suggests that these are areas best left to the experts, and there is no …